716 posts
|
Motown
Feb 15, 2016 12:23:11 GMT
via mobile
Post by theatre-turtle on Feb 15, 2016 12:23:11 GMT
The worst recent one I've seen was the Commitments, which I didn't see the appeal of at all, yet everyone around me seemed to love it?!
|
|
18,700 posts
|
Motown
Feb 15, 2016 12:31:15 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2016 12:31:15 GMT
I've booked for the tour of that
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Motown
Feb 15, 2016 12:37:10 GMT
Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2016 12:37:10 GMT
I've booked for the tour of that Has the tour cast been announced yet? I really enjoyed The Committments when the OLC was still there (both Killian Donnelly and Ian McIntosh were great as Deco), but the show felt really flat and less energetic after cast change.
|
|
18,700 posts
|
Motown
Feb 15, 2016 12:47:53 GMT
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 15, 2016 12:47:53 GMT
I know. I'm going on my own in case it's completely rubbish.
|
|
396 posts
|
Motown
Feb 15, 2016 21:04:51 GMT
Post by djp on Feb 15, 2016 21:04:51 GMT
I know. I'm going on my own in case it's completely rubbish. Its got familiar successful songs - and Keisha and Cleo - who have been singing out successful careers since I'do Anything on TV. I might have a look. i agree its a bit worrying if almost anything new that tries for a story, and new songs fails , and pure juke boxes sell. A bit of story would be nice even if its WWRY type - story. Abi Finley had a lot of story to act out in Leader of the Pack - the Ellie Greenwich story - last year and got lots of 4/5 star reviews for it, - its a shame something like that couldn't transfer.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 8:48:17 GMT
Have none of us actually seen this yet? This must be some kind of record for these forums... the longest time from opening that someone has actually seen the show! Usually at least one of us gets in by the first or second preview
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Mar 3, 2016 11:32:43 GMT
Maybe those who have are too ashamed to admit it?
|
|
7,439 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 11:56:09 GMT
Post by alece10 on Mar 3, 2016 11:56:09 GMT
Someone at work has booked for April and was asking me what people were saying about it. Had to admit that I didnt know anyone who had seen it so far and nothing on the forum either. Have they had press night yet?
|
|
659 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 12:12:47 GMT
Post by westendcub on Mar 3, 2016 12:12:47 GMT
Keep completely forgetting it exists and is playing...not heard anyone mention it!!
It's not on my radar!!
|
|
2,545 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 12:28:27 GMT
Post by viserys on Mar 3, 2016 12:28:27 GMT
I just looked at the website to see how it's selling and was shocked to find so much "limited availabilty", especially considering the outrageous prices.
I can't help thinking that the proper West End is becoming more and more a "tourist park" with jukebox musicals and long-runners that by now aim squarely for the tourist market, whereas all the interesting stuff happens elsewhere - Menier, Southwark, now the Charing Cross Theatre's new season, new stuff being developed at the National, Old Vic or outside London... Just sad really, but good for my purse I guess...
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 13:09:36 GMT
via mobile
Post by DebbieDoesDouglas(Hodge) on Mar 3, 2016 13:09:36 GMT
But the west end IS a business so of course they want to make money. If artisticness is involved then that's just a lovely bonus!
|
|
240 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 13:38:42 GMT
Post by Anniek on Mar 3, 2016 13:38:42 GMT
Hoping that the ridiculous prices and limited availability is a trick to actually make people buy tix, and that in a month time I can go for like 15 quid. I want to see it, but not for more than 20 quid.
|
|
571 posts
|
Post by westendwendy on Mar 3, 2016 14:21:50 GMT
I saw this last week. Its a good show and is entertaining. It's not Memphis. If Memphis was called Mowtown it would also had ran for years, its a better show!
Audience was packed with middle working class white people aged 40 - 70 and tourists. This is a show that will sell.
It was an enjoyable night and it's a nice show to watch. The girl who played Diana Ross was excellent but too many songs! Crazy! About 60 or so...
|
|
629 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 18:05:35 GMT
Post by greeny11 on Mar 3, 2016 18:05:35 GMT
I saw it during half term week. Cast are excellent and do well with the material they've been given. However, the plot is weak and they've crammed in 53 songs, which means only 5 or 6 songs last more than 30 seconds. Audience participation was rather embarrassing to be honest - felt sorry for the 2 who had go and sing with Diana Ross (Lucy St Louis) as you could sense their embarrassment. However, the rest of the audience seemed to love it.
|
|
57 posts
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 18:37:56 GMT
Post by mrcurry on Mar 3, 2016 18:37:56 GMT
I was passing and bought a standing ticket for 10 pounds for a matinee. The place was full of 50+ middle aged white people paying high prices. There are some wealthy people about. The show seemed like it was still in previews. Dancing was not in sync, not sure if this was how Motown performers actually danced in the 1960s. Story was a bit sixth form. It is the songs and performances that matter. They could be better. I imagine in a couple of months they will get the song performances spot on, imho.
Highlight of the show is Diana Ross. The cast is young and can only get better. Lowlight is watching Barry Gordy in a cardigan, sat in an armchair watching TV, feeling sorry for himself.
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 3, 2016 18:50:03 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2016 18:50:03 GMT
The Diana Ross role was highly acclaimed on the Broadway Production too, even earning her a Tony nomination.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Motown
Mar 4, 2016 0:46:54 GMT
Post by Phantom of London on Mar 4, 2016 0:46:54 GMT
I love my musicals, but was never inclined to see this on Broadway and said I see it in London if it came, but wind on a couple of year and the show is now in London and I am still not inclined to see this.
£5 million at the box office does sound great, but that soon will dry up and shows that fans of the genre have flocked ASAP. Be interesting what the reviewers think of this or will they give it a extra star or two, of they smell a decent marketing budget.
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 7, 2016 21:24:47 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 21:24:47 GMT
|
|
5,208 posts
|
Motown
Mar 7, 2016 22:35:24 GMT
via mobile
Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 7, 2016 22:35:24 GMT
Has there every new so little interest in a musical on a message board dedicated to musicals?!
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 7, 2016 23:02:17 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2016 23:02:17 GMT
Has there every new so little interest in a musical on a message board dedicated to musicals?! This does seem to be a first for a new musical.
|
|
44 posts
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 1:15:25 GMT
Post by theatremole on Mar 8, 2016 1:15:25 GMT
I think you need your eyes testing danieljohnson14, those photos are not against a screen...
There's a backlit cyc with set in front of it (see the wire cables holding up the houses and the panels behind the Jackson 5? That's not projection, that's physical pieces of scenery). There are automated LED walls & posts but not in those photos.
Also, just for the record - LED, projection & video generally cost a lot more than physical pieces of scenery.
I saw the open dress with my wife and didn't make it to the second half. My wife stayed (we have an agreement) and enjoyed herself but wouldn't have paid for a ticket. The show isn't for 'regular theatregoers' and it doesn't matter what the critics say, it's going to have a good run. I do miss Memphis though.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 1:33:34 GMT
Post by Phantom of London on Mar 8, 2016 1:33:34 GMT
Think this one is critic proof, as it appeals to people who wouldn't normally go to the theatre and when they buy tier tickets at a exhubant price, they would be clueless they're being ripped off.
For the record I don't think the original Broadway production did recoup, it couldn't be far off though. Something to do with a big wage bill.
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 1:36:39 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 1:36:39 GMT
Think this one is critic proof, as it appeals to people who wouldn't normally go to the theatre and when they buy tier tickets at a exhubant price, they would be clueless they're being ripped off. For the record I don't think the original Broadway production did recoup, it couldn't be far off though. Something to do with a big wage bill. Not forgetting though, it is going back to Broadway, most likely with the tour set, to get even more money this Summer haha!
I must admit though, I do like the design of the logo for this, the whole black and gold design.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 11:47:53 GMT
Post by Phantom of London on Mar 8, 2016 11:47:53 GMT
This will make loads of money on tour and going back to Broadway.
|
|
4,158 posts
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 18:41:05 GMT
Post by HereForTheatre on Mar 8, 2016 18:41:05 GMT
They are doing something rather interesting with this tonight, they are live streaming the opening night. Interviewing all the celeb attendee's on the red carpet and such. link
I quite like it and maybe other shows should do it, it creates a bit of buzz and excitement.
|
|
|
Post by Seriously on Mar 8, 2016 22:42:22 GMT
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 8, 2016 23:24:44 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2016 23:24:44 GMT
So no surprises there that it is getting not so positive reviews.
Also, I kinda guessed lip synching was a given considering the amount of incredible singers they are attempting to portray.
|
|
884 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Mar 9, 2016 0:14:34 GMT
God this was dreadful ! At least in NY it looked reasonably spiffy but the whole production here is so sh*tty-looking and the cast with one or two exceptions wouldn't dignify a bus and truck tour Stateside. But some will surely love it and the woman to my left was bursting with excitement before a single note had been sung. Lucky her.
The Diana Ross is nauseating.
|
|
|
Motown
Mar 9, 2016 0:21:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2016 0:21:59 GMT
Well it is limited availability for a lot of shows for at least the next month or so according to the website... but then so was Viva Forever.
|
|
1,008 posts
|
Motown
Mar 9, 2016 0:40:53 GMT
via mobile
Post by talkstageytome on Mar 9, 2016 0:40:53 GMT
4 stars from Mark Shenton at The Stage. Very different to the majority of other reviews so far.
|
|